Geranium 'Striatum'

Geranium sanguineum 'Striatum': A Tapestry of Veined Elegance

Geranium sanguineum 'Striatum', also known as the Striped Bloody Cranesbill, weaves a tapestry of veined elegance throughout the garden with its distinctive soft pink flowers adorned with deep pink veins. This delightful variety of the hardy Geranium sanguineum family is celebrated for its delicate beauty and the subtle contrast its blooms offer against a backdrop of lush, green foliage. Ideal for cottage gardens, rockeries, or as an enchanting border edge, 'Striatum' thrives in full sun to partial shade, unfurling its floral display from late spring through to early summer.

Product Characteristics:

• Height: 'Striatum' reaches a modest height of 30-40 cm, creating an understated yet vibrant presence that complements both formal and informal garden designs.
• Spread: It forms a spreading habit of 30-45 cm, establishing a dense mat of foliage that effectively suppresses weeds and embellishes the garden floor with its textured greenery.
• Flower Colour: The blooms are a soft pink, each petal strikingly veined in deeper pink, blooming generously to create a visually captivating effect that draws pollinators and the admiration of garden visitors.
• Flowering Period: Blooming from late spring through early summer, Geranium sanguineum 'Striatum' brings a burst of refined beauty to the garden, providing a gentle contrast against the lush foliage.
• Foliage: Its foliage is deeply lobed and semi-evergreen in milder climates, providing textural interest and beauty throughout the growing season and beyond.
• Sunlight Requirements: Prefers full sun to partial shade, flourishing in a variety of lighting conditions and promoting a lush display of flowers and robust foliage growth.
• Soil Requirements: Enjoys well-drained soil, showing remarkable adaptability to a range of soil conditions, from dry and rocky to more fertile loams, making it a resilient and versatile choice for gardeners.

Uses and Benefits: In addition to its decorative appeal, 'Striatum' serves as an excellent ground cover, offering erosion control, weed suppression, and attracting a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, thereby enhancing garden biodiversity and contributing to the health of these vital garden inhabitants.

Companion Plants: This elegant cranesbill pairs beautifully with other perennials such as Lavender (Lavandula), Catmint (Nepeta), and Silver Mound Artemisia (Artemisia schmidtiana), creating a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance garden display that emphasizes color, texture, and biodiversity.

Care Instructions: Geranium sanguineum 'Striatum' is delightfully low maintenance, requiring minimal care to thrive. It is drought-tolerant once established, needing only occasional watering during extended dry periods. Deadheading spent blooms can encourage further flowering and maintain a tidy appearance.

History: 'Striatum' is valued for its unique flower veining and adaptability, making it a sought-after cultivar among gardeners and landscape designers for its ability to bring subtle color and texture to the landscape with minimal effort.

Final Thoughts: Geranium sanguineum 'Striatum' offers a blend of veined elegance and garden utility, providing a captivating display of soft pink blooms, easy care, and ecological benefits. Whether used to grace rockeries, soften garden edges, or as a colorful ground cover, 'Striatum' invites all who visit the garden to enjoy its delicate charm and the serene beauty it brings to any outdoor space.